Saturday, February 18, 2006

Dick DeVos, son of Amway scion, running as Republican for Governor of Michigan

...my eyes almost popped out when I read ...about the announced Republican candidate for governor [of Michigan]...if Richard ("Dick") DeVos wins, Michigan will have fallen prey to religious right fervor in the worst case scenario. You wouldn't know from the Michigan media, but the DeVos family, and Dick DeVos lock-step with them, are among the most prominent funders and fans of the religious right.

...The family money comes from Amway, the direct sales cleaning product company, which was founded by Dick DeVos' father, whose name is also Richard DeVos. Several other companies -- Alticor, Access Business Group LLC., Quixtar Inc. and Pyxis Innovations Inc - followed and son Dick DeVos served as CEO until 2002 when he retired. The family also owns the Orlando Magic.

Son and candidate Dick is married to Betsy DeVos, head of the Michigan Republican Party. Dick and Betsy DeVos, too, have a foundation...which bears their name and invests heavily in theocratic causes, supporting, in particular, school vouchers and religious educational training.